We purchased an existing organization with one Server 2008 R2 Ent installation. I believe the software is illegal. With the backing of my employers, we're going to legitimize the server.

Does anyone know if we have any recourse with the contracted tech who installed the server? I am assuming that you're going to tell me to call Microsoft.

Would it be a good idea to let the contractor know what we're going to do thereby giving him the chance to pay for the software?

There is no evidence that it is a legitimate copy. No CDs/DVDs, paperwork or anything. And the license installed is VLK (BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB). That alone tells us that it can't be legitimate.

Contractor that works for someone or just a guy someone knew and called in to help the company get up and running...

Who Hired him in the first place?

VLK doesn't exactly mean its not legal.

No paperwork and no record of the software... that is a pretty big indicator though...

No I wouldn't call Microsoft just yet - Would purchase the correct licenses then re-key as necessary. Purchase Enterprise so you don't have to re-load the Software. MS just let them know an incorrect VLK was used and needs to be corrected with the purchased licenses.

Then start looking at all the software in the company and make sure you have all of it legal. Someone other than just this tech / contractor is involved in the decision to use unlicensed software, make sure you know who made the call in your company. (not easy to find when its an owner / Exec).

But at any rate CYA and document what you find and keep records for yourself of what you find... copies of the emails you've sent to execs / managers about what you've found.

17 Replies

I think once you've given them a chance to "go legit", your only recourse should they choose not to would be to tell big brother, er, M$ and let them handle it. The expenses associated with NOT using legit software are way too high for any business in this day and age. If you can't afford the software, then you need to install something else that you can afford. I don't understand why they didn't just either write it off as a business expense or pass the cost on...

Contractor that works for someone or just a guy someone knew and called in to help the company get up and running...

Who Hired him in the first place?

VLK doesn't exactly mean its not legal.

No paperwork and no record of the software... that is a pretty big indicator though...

No I wouldn't call Microsoft just yet - Would purchase the correct licenses then re-key as necessary. Purchase Enterprise so you don't have to re-load the Software. MS just let them know an incorrect VLK was used and needs to be corrected with the purchased licenses.

Then start looking at all the software in the company and make sure you have all of it legal. Someone other than just this tech / contractor is involved in the decision to use unlicensed software, make sure you know who made the call in your company. (not easy to find when its an owner / Exec).

But at any rate CYA and document what you find and keep records for yourself of what you find... copies of the emails you've sent to execs / managers about what you've found.

This is why I started, and replaced the contractor/tech because of issues as this.

The first thing really is to identify and legalise as you have already started.

I would be cautious about letting the authorities know, it may have some follow on affect on some of the staff at the employer which was not forseen.

Due to this, we just considered the identification and legalization a job done. I would document it all and then ensure that the report is provided to the boss and also if you have one, to the Board.

This will ensure they will understand what happened, why it happened (cause for the $$ to be spent), what the consequences of not doing anything would be and more importantly, a full document that if someone claims you've used illegal software, you can prove that upon your employment, software x, y and z were found with no proof of purchase ... actions a, b and c were initiated to either remove them or purchase legal copies.

Makes you look good and the boss feel better. Make sure that then goes into your annual report if you do one.

Just my 2 cents.

Keith.

btw ... the software this organization had, could have destroyed it. We are now fully legal and I have already gone through few I.T. Audits (from the fed gov agencies) and passed each with flying colours!

Well, in order to be compliant, we have to buy the software and CALs. We don't want to be out that money.

Contact him, I am assuming that you paid for the original license in his fees. Ask that the paperwork be produced if (when) it isn't ask for either a legit copy at his expense or a refund of your money.

If all else fails let the BSA know and have him investigated, they often offer a bounty. Take him to small claims court to get what you paid for the non-legit license if desired.

Keys can be obtained from VLSC or by calling the Activation Call Center. Please see the table in the Product Keys FAQ for more information on how MAK and KMS keys can be used and what products are enabled using each of the keys.

Note: These keys and the product activation process are different from prior operating system versions. Please familiarize yourself before deploying Windows Server 2008 R2 in your organization.

I need more help. Where do I go?

Learn about Volume Activation and how to deploy using KMS or MAK keys in your organization.

When I pressed the tech, it was admitted that the business owner (or their representative in-house manager) didn't want to pay so much for the software. So a "key" was purchased on an "auction website". The tech used an existing DVD.

When my employers were informed of the truth and I explained the path and consequences, they declined action and approved the purchase of new server software and CALs.

I like working for people who insist on legal software.

Thanks all. Always interesting. Now I have to think who is the best answer.

When I pressed the tech, it was admitted that the business owner (or their representative in-house manager) didn't want to pay so much for the software. So a "key" was purchased on an "auction website". The tech used an existing DVD.

When my employers were informed of the truth and I explained the path and consequences, they declined action and approved the purchase of new server software and CALs.

I like working for people who insist on legal software.

Thanks all. Always interesting. Now I have to think who is the best answer.

Glad it worked out for you. Licensing is one area where cutting corners often results in a lot more problems.

When I pressed the tech, it was admitted that the business owner (or their representative in-house manager) didn't want to pay so much for the software. So a "key" was purchased on an "auction website". The tech used an existing DVD.

When my employers were informed of the truth and I explained the path and consequences, they declined action and approved the purchase of new server software and CALs.

I like working for people who insist on legal software.

Thanks all. Always interesting. Now I have to think who is the best answer.

Awesome ... its times like this that the spiceworks community is extremely helpful! :).

Don't forget to document, list it in your own documentation as an achievement for this company, it may be good to have as a reference on your resume someday when your looking for a better job.

ounds like you lucked out there, glad your employer is willing to do what is right to get it sorted. Bet that isn't going to be cheep!! Was the previous Tech able to shed any light on what else may be 'non-compliant' or worth getting sorted out? If they skimped on that, what else did the go cheep on? I would check cabling, power, other 'behind the scenes' stuff that they may have done on the cheep. Better to find out now than later when it is too late!!

Well, in order to be compliant, we have to buy the software and CALs. We don't want to be out that money.

So you want it to be free?

Justin's plan is the best.

I guarantee someone knows more than they want to admit!

Apply pressure to the guy and he'll tell you he told someone that they should purchase the software he was installing...

Hey B-C, I marked you the best answer, but I have to say we're not looking for free software. My employers purchased the business. It should come with legitimate assets. Since the software was listed as an asset, the money was removed from the hold-back monies from the purchase.

In the end, the previous owner paid for the software. As they should have in the first place.

All good. All documented. I rebuild the server next week. My server. :)

Just thought I'd point out that the product key BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB isn't ALWAYS illegal. This can appear for legitimate reasons.

I understand now that the "BBB..." does not necessarily identify the product as illegal.

However, the tech that did the install "found" the key in his e-mail and sent it to me. I'm smart enough to know that I am not going to keep that key. But I knew what would happen when I plugged that key in to Google... that exact key came up on 4300 different web pages. <shaking my head>